§ 5. Lieut.-Colonel Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that the increased grants in aid, which he intends to make available to support the repertory theatre movement in this country, will be made available, in accordance with their needs, artistic standards, and public value, to all repertory theatres whether profit distributing or not; and whether he will make this principle clear to the Arts Council before it finalises the proposals which he has requested it to make to him on this subject.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNo, Sir. It is a fundamental principle of Arts Council 205 policy that its grants and guarantees are available only to non-profit-distributing companies.
§ Sir G. NicholsonIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the drama derives a good deal of support, inspiration and personnel from the repertory theatre movement? Will he do all he can to foster it?
§ Mr. LloydI certainly will do all I can to foster the repertory movement. With regard to the case of profit-distributing companies, I would be very grateful if my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Knutsford (Sir W. Bromley-Davenport) would put before me any facts about their situation.
§ Mr. G. JegerIs the Chancellor aware that his statement, when turning down the National Theatre project, that he was to give support to provincial theatres, has caused a great deal of confusion as to the exact form in which that assistance will be made available? Will he ask the Arts Council to expedite its consideration of the matter because, meanwhile, theatres in the provinces are closing at the rate of one or two every week?
§ Mr. LloydI do not admit that there is confusion. I am very surprised at the hon. Gentleman's statement that provincial theatres are closing at the rate of one or two every week; I do not believe that to be the case. However, I am certainly not out of sympathy with his suggestion. I think that it is important that we should establish the position as quickly as possible.